Emma, by Jane Austen, is Austen’s longest novel published December 1815, and centers on the perils of misconstrued romance. Like Austen’s other novels, Emma explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women living in Georgian-Regency England specifically marriage; thus creating a lively 'comedy of manners' among her characters many trials and tribulations. Before she began the novel, Austen wrote, "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." In the very first sentence she introduces the title character as "Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich." Emma, however, is also rather spoiled; she greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities; and she is blind to the dangers of meddling in other people's lives. So often she is mistaken about the meanings of others' actions.